Copy of `Creating a comic - Comedic terms`

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ActA comic’s current body of work on stage, comprised of various Bits (see below). `I used to be really crazy on stage, but my act these days is a lot more observational.”

Act-outWhen a comedian physically acts out a joke, typically with exaggerated body motions and gestures. Dane Cook is especially well-known for these nowadays. `The story about my prostate exam only started getting laughs when I made it into an act-out.”

BitA joke or, more often, a series of related jokes. `His bit about jogging killed, but the doctor’s office bit was too long—it definitely needs some more polishing.”

BlueDirty jokes and other adult-themed material, most obviously characterized by curse words (obligatory NSFW Carlin link) but sometimes used to mean anything with an `R” rating that couldn’t be said at a school or on network TV. See also ‘Clean,’ below. `His act is absolutely brilliant, but it’s way too blue for him to ever get booked on Late Night.”

BombedSucked, failed, stunk up the joint. `I had the worst set of my life—absolutely bombed it. The audience had torches and pitchforks.”

BookerThe person who schedules comics for a specific room, typically a venue manager or owner. `The booker at that club prefers to book clean acts.”

BumpedA set that gets canceled, usually do to time constraints. `I was scheduled to feature last night, but got bumped when a famous headliner dropped by to do some new material.”

CallbackA punchline that refers, or `calls back,” to a joke or premise from earlier in the performance (as opposed to a tag, which is a consecutive punchline within the same premise). One of the most reliable comedy tricks, a callback can elevate a marginal joke to legendary. `And then he closed strong by tying it all together with a callback to his opening joke about lupus.”

CleanThe inverse of `Blue,” above. A comic can technically be considered `clean” if he avoids cursing; `squeaky clean” material eschews ribald or shocking topics of any kind. Saying `cock” is definitely blue (rated R); saying `masturbate” and making the wank motion is technically clean, but blue-tinged (rated PG-13); avoiding the subject of one’s dong entirely is squeaky clean (rated G). `I have an opportunity to work a cruise ship this summer, if I can show that I have an hour of clean material.”

CloserA comic’s final bit (see above). Since the idea is to leave the audience wanting more, this will usually be their best (or signature) material. `My jokes about aliens are getting huge laughs lately, so I’m thinking of making it my closer.” Alternately, can also refer to the Headliner, the comic who `closes” the show.

Crowd WorkWhen a comic interacts with the audience. Often done to heighten the sense of improvisation, or simply kill some time. Can be the best part of a set when done well. `Comics from the UK, like Jimmy Carr and Dara O’Briain, tend to be superb at crowd work and incorporate a lot of it in their act.”

Diedsee `Bombed,” above.

HackShort for `hackneyed,” as in unoriginal. When referring to material, a hack joke is an overworn premise that’s been done to death, with nothing original added. A hack comic is one who tells primarily hack jokes. (Hack comics can still make a very good living, regardless of the disdain of their peers.) `He’s such a hack; his set was nothing but the same old differences-between-men-and-women material you’ve already heard a thousand times.”

HeadlinerThe big cheese, the closer; the comic whose name is on the marquee outside and who people came to see. Headliners will do at least 45 minutes of material, and usually closer to an hour (or more). `She worked her ass off for years and has been getting some well-deserved breaks as a headliner.”

HostThe first comic up on stage, who does some material (5-15 minutes) and then introduces each subsequent comic. Sometimes called the MC or Opener, some parts of America (like Seattle) this underrated job is the lowest on the comedy totem pole. In Canada and elsewhere (like Nashville) the Host ranks just below the headliner. `He did a great job as host, setting the audience up for each comic and maintaining an even energy level all evening.”

Joke StructureJokes follow a very specific formula: setup, punchline, and then tags/toppers (see below). There’s a lot of `stuff that’s funny” in this world, and some of it can get laughs on stage, but the joke is still the comic’s bread and butter.

KilledHad an awesome set; the audience was rolling in the aisles. `How’d you do at the club last night?” `I killed!”

LightThe offstage signal to the comic on stage that their time is almost over and they should wrap it up. Can be as elaborate as an air traffic wand or as simple as a waved cell phone; either way, the comic had better get off the stage, as `riding the light” (staying on stage beyond one’s welcome) is a cardinal offense. `The set was going so well, I didn’t even realize my time was almost up until I got the light.”

MaterialCan refer to a single joke, a bit, a routine, or one’s entire act. `I feel really good about the new material I’ve been working on lately. It’s darker and edgier than my old material.”

MCSee ‘Host,’ above.

MerchShort for merchandise, refers to the DVDs, CDs, t-shirts, etc. that a comic will often sell after a show. `The club owner would like you to set up your merch table over by the bar.”

MiddleOften used interchangeably with ‘Feature,’ above.

Open MicThe boot camp of stand-up comics, where we learn our craft and test out new jokes. Usually at a comedy club but often in a bar or other venue. `I’m heading down to Giggles tonight to test out some new material at open mic.”

OpenerThe comedian’s first joke or series of jokes, typically among their best and most crowd-pleasing material. `He uses a really funny and self-deprecating opener to get the audience on his side.” Alternately, used interchangeably with ‘Host’ or ‘MC,’ but only if the comic comes back to the stage between comics to introduce each one. If there are no hosting duties, and each comic introduces the following comic, the first performer is the Opener. Lowest level on the pro comic totem pole. `The feature performer will go up as soon as the opener is finished.”

Parallel Thinkinga.k.a. `No, I did NOT steal that joke!” Occurs when two or more comics come up with the same material independently. `Someone asked me if I got that joke from Will Ferrell’s one man show, but it turned out to be parallel thinking.” See more in this blog entry.

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